20 Feb 2017 From trade to art to dream business

by Donna Benton
Mike Kemp photos

John Dixon spent 30 years in the collision repair industry, working at body shops and dealerships and performing every job from floor sweeper to management. The work was fulfilling, but John longed for a more artistic and creative outlet for his mechanical talents.

In 2001, he was working at a local car dealership when he noticed a salesman negotiating a trade for a classic Ford Bronco 4×4. John mentioned to the salesman that if he made the trade, then he could consider the Bronco sold. Not long after, the salesman tossed the keys to John, and a new passion was born. Thereafter, when he wasn’t fixing banged up fenders, John, his wife, Kathleen, and their son, Alex, spent their weekends off-roading or “wheelin’” in their classic Bronco, “The Green Machine.”

“Wheelin’” involves traversing rocky trails and ascending steep crags, boulders and even waterfalls. They would meet up in specialized areas with Bronco enthusiasts from several states and test the limits of their machines. “It’s the most fun you can have going two miles an hour,” said John. As one can imagine, this pursuit is rather rough on bumpers and fenders, and John became quite proficient at making repairs and upgrades to classic Broncos.

A few years ago, John took on a friend’s full Bronco restoration project. He worked nights and weekends in his backyard shop, while still employed at a local dealership. Demand started to grow for his work, and in 2014, he took a huge leap of faith, quit his job and opened his own Bronco restoration business, JAK’s Restorations. JAK is an acronym for John, Alex and Kathleen. “As the name implies, it is a family business,” said John. “Kathleen was instrumental in the planning stages, and she handles the finances and bookkeeping. The plan was to work in the backyard shop, but we outgrew that in no time, and before long, we had to move into a new facility in Greenbrier.”

Word spread quickly throughout the Bronco community, and John soon had a shop full of classic Broncos in various states of restoration. “It didn’t take long for our worries to shift from hoping we had enough business to trying to figure out how to get Broncos finished and out the door on time.”

Early or classic Broncos, as they are known, were built from 1966 to 1977. They were created to be a sporty, outdoor getaway vehicle and a utilitarian workhorse. They are known for their trademark removable roof and are highly collectable among outdoor enthusiasts and vehicle collectors.

At a recent visit to the JAK’s Restorations workshop in Greenbrier, there was an assortment of derelict and faded early Broncos in various states of disrepair. According to John, these rust buckets are not going to the junkyard, but instead, each one is the foundation from which John will work his mechanical magic to build a beautifully restored classic Bronco.

Across the shop are some sparkling, freshly painted exoskeletons without wheels or insides, and the hulking frames of chrome, rubber and steel to which these shiny bodies will soon be affixed. While I am still processing the idea that one guy can build a fully functioning vehicle from one of these old rusty rides, the alluring glimmer of a blue beauty catches my eye. “Marlin Blue,” said John. “Only available on the ‘66 Bronco.” I run my hand along the flawless fender and check my reflection in the glassy paint. Without asking, I climb into the driver’s seat and nestle into the new upholstery. I admire the sparkling gauges and notice that John has even managed to restore the new car smell. The mountain girl that dwells deep inside of me is aching to drop the top on one of these gleaming beauties, tie my hair in an American flag bandana and hit the road to the Buffalo River.

John says this one is just about ready to go to a client in Kansas City. It looks showroom new, but it’s even better because it has been updated with all new modern electronics and mechanics.

This classic 4×4 is the portrait of Americana. I’m pretty sure that after Washington crossed the Delaware, he tied his canoe on top of a classic Bronco. When our forefathers explored the Great American Outdoors, they did it, top down I imagine, in a Ford Bronco. I’ve never really been a “car girl,” but I totally appreciate the artistry, skill and craftsmanship that result in this perfect balance of brawn and beauty, and I start to wonder exactly how long that waiting list is.